Coulthard confirms DTM exit, retirement
Former F1 driver David Coulthard is to retire from active racing following this weekend's DTM finale at Hockenheim.
Coulthard has elected to end his career in the German tin-top series in order to concentrate more on his role as an F1 pundit and commentator with the BBC, in addition to his other 'personal and business interests'. The Scot has raced in the DTM since 2010 and notched up his best result earlier this season when he was fifth at the Norisring. He will remain as an AMG brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz.
"This weekend will be my final opportunity to compete at this level as I will stop racing in the DTM to concentrate on my developing off-track businesses and of course my family," Coulthard explained.
"I would like to thank first of all Norbert Haug and his team at Mercedes Motorsport for providing the opportunity, Deutsche Post for their support and their willingness to allow the Wings for Life Foundation to have promotional space on the car, which has helped raise awareness and funding for the research into spinal cord injuries.
"Thank you, as well, to the HWA and M?cke teams for patiently helping me with the transition from single-seaters to touring cars, and of course to the people who make professional sport sustainable, the fans.
"I have enjoyed the last three years and I wish the organisers and competitors in DTM continued growth and success with the championship."
Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president, Norbert Haug, meanwhile has paid tribute to the Scot, who won 13 races during his time at the pinnacle of the sport.
"David is our first F1 winner of the modern era and that victory on 9th March 1997 in Melbourne ensures his place in our motorsport history. David drove successfully for us and our partner McLaren during nine F1 seasons, and still today he is one of the most popular racing drivers in the world," Haug added.
"David's involvement in the DTM has been good for him and for the championship - he is skilled on the race track, and eloquent and analytical in his TV work and as an AMG brand ambassador. He has been a successful member of the Mercedes family for over a decade and a half, and will remain so after his retirement from active racing. An abbreviation from the racing world best summarises what I want to say to David on behalf of everybody: TD - but this time, it stands for 'Thanks, David'."
